Chapter Two, the month of June is dark

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned or nearly aligned in a straight line. The formal process of a lunar eclipse is divided into five stages: penumbral eclipse, partial eclipse, total eclipse, emergence from eclipse, and penumbral phase. Typically, it occurs twice a year, and it generally takes place during the full moon.

It is fortunate that Lao Xiao called me to Peng City to make a living, but I do not dare to think about having a house, a car, or a woman. Recently, Lao Xiao and I went to a housing exhibition, and damn it, over ten thousand yuan per ping, can ordinary people afford that? After so many years of studying, what use is it if I can't even afford a toilet

He stared blankly at the moon, his face full of smiles, feeling as if the moon was swaying back and forth, shaking and shaking, to the point where his eyelids were about to clash.

What is there to see? It is merely the moon moving into the shadow of the Earth, and in the region between the moon and the Earth, the sunlight is blocked by the Earth, resulting in the appearance of the moon being partially obscured.

Who can say otherwise? At that moment, Gui raised the bottle, squinting at the sky refracted through the green glass, and sighed thoughtfully

It is unfortunate that our parents lack power, unlike Li Gang, we have lost at the starting line. Oh, a few days ago I was browsing Weibo for news, and before the heated discussions, a representative of the people submitted a proposal stating that rural children should not be encouraged to attend university, as it would be futile. What do you think about what he said? It is truly remarkable—golden advice!

Plans often fall short of changes. It was originally agreed that we would go swimming at Lingding Island the next day, but unexpectedly, Xiao Jingming from Peng City had to deal with a database issue in his department that required his attention

It is June, and the weather in Jiangcheng is unbearably hot during the day, while the temperature at night is relatively lower

Before long, I arrived near the square and found that all the benches were occupied by couples, who were engaged in intimate moments with each other

A few people could not help but stand up. A Gui pointed at the moon and asked, "Is this a zero-degree lunar eclipse?"

Xiao Jingming clapped his hand in response and laughed, "Tao Yan, how long have you been an official? Why do you speak with such bureaucratic jargon now?"

The earth has become dim.

Tao Yan chuckled and replied, "Did I not come here to see Old Xiao on leave? But you, my brother, I traveled thousands of miles to get here, and you two almost stood me up. Don't you think that's a bit excessive? When we eat later, you both must drink three cups as punishment."

Xiao Jingming stared intently at the sky, and after a long while, he hesitantly replied: "It seems so, but it also seems not to be..."

"Not really." Tao Yan replied irritably, feeling that Shi Gui's question was rather odd. Shi Gui chuckled, while Xiao Jingming became concerned and turned to ask, "Ah, brother, what are you doing... you, you aren't still thinking about Xiao Jiang, are you?"

As Lu Yan read aloud in a tipsy state, the clear sky suddenly became overcast.

In the sky of the illustrated book, that round moon still hangs, like a solitary deity high above, gazing down upon humanity on Earth and their shadows

Agu swallowed hard, his rapid heartbeat gradually slowing down. After a long while, he angrily cursed, "Damn it, that scared the life out of me. Is the sky showing signs of a catastrophe? Is the end of the world coming?"

This small circle of friends shares information freely. They are all adults, and in a university, which is the ideal place for romance, it is rare for Tao Yan to maintain such a chaste demeanor, yet it also invites teasing from these few friends

It is summer, and the night falls a little later. Exiting the food stall, it is just the time when the lights begin to shine.

Tao Yan and Xiao Jingming both turned to look at A Gui, their faces displaying a mix of astonishment and amusement. Before they could react, large raindrops began to pour down from the sky with great intensity

Xiao Jingming lay back down. He had majored in physics in college, and he was well aware of the principles behind these things. He then proceeded to educate these wide-eyed individuals on the subject:

Old friends reunited but not yet satisfied, Tao Yan suggested changing the venue for more drinks, and several old classmates naturally agreed. Not wanting to return to the hotel and lacking funds for a bar, Lu Yan proposed going to the nearby Wuling Sports Square. It was built a few years ago as a showpiece for the Olympics, but it does have a complete set of facilities including a football field, basketball courts, fountains, and a circular rubber track.

At this moment, several individuals seem to be immersed in a world of another dimension

Sigh, it has been five years since we parted. I remember that time after our high school graduation when we drank with great enthusiasm, completely intoxicated. In the blink of an eye, several years have passed, and we still have nothing to show for it

The young man following the slightly shorter casual outfit with a shoulder bag is quite fashionable. In the past, he had small eyes that would squint when he smiled. After experiencing emotional setbacks, he shaved his head and earned the nickname "Master of Restraint." He hasn't changed much, but he has gained quite a bit of weight, and his acne has also become more pronounced.

He was referring to an event that took place in February of last year. At that time, Tao Yan found a programming job in the city where he was attending university. The company had just secured a major contract, so he did not return home for the Spring Festival. The idea of gathering with a few classmates did not come to fruition

The sudden emergence and disappearance of this electromagnetic storm went unpredicted and unanalyzed by any authoritative institution prior to its occurrence, and even the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which possesses the most advanced aerospace technology and observational means, is at a loss to explain it

After waiting for a while at the bus stop, two classmates from Peng City got off the bus. These two individuals, Tao Yan had not seen for many years, but their appearances had not changed much, only they had matured considerably

You guys, having just come out for one or two years, why are you so despondent? Is it really that dire? Don't wallow in self-pity and be cynical. Look at what they say online: there's only a step between being an angry youth and being patriotic, but there's not even half a step between being an angry youth and being foolish. Life should be filled with ambition and hope. Just look at A Yan, facing such great pressure, yet still completing adult education examinations.

On this day, Lu Yan and Tao Yan did not go anywhere. After having breakfast in Lu Yan's rented room, the two went to a nearby internet café and spent the entire day playing CS and Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne

It is raining

Finally, we also chose the wrong observation site. The phenomenon of the lunar eclipse is significantly affected by light pollution and the atmospheric clarity on the night itself. Therefore, one should strive to select observation sites that are far from city lights, and you must pray for a very clear sky

Not all lunar eclipses are black; they are classified into five levels. Level zero is completely black and invisible only during the peak of the eclipse. Levels one to four range from gray to brown, deep red or rust red, brick red, and orange or bronze.

You take a look at these places," he pointed to the distant streetlights, the square, and the lights of the residential buildings in the distance, then speculated, "Perhaps while we were just looking down and drinking, time has already passed.

"Indeed, what is the use of our hard work and diligence?" Xiao Jingming echoed, as he lay down and gazed at the sky. Somehow, the once hazy sky was now clear and bright, with stars twinkling and the moon shining like a river of jade. He continued to grumble:

The duration of this feeling was very brief, lasting only one or two seconds. Immediately afterward, he opened his eyes, and the moon was completely obscured. Moreover, the surrounding area was shrouded in a deep, inky darkness.

On the bus, I had already seen Lu Yan and the other person. As soon as he got off, Xiao Jingming ran over, lightly punching Tao Yan and Lu Yan in the chest. After waiting for Shi Gui to come over and greet the two, he complained to Tao Yan: "You finally showed up, I went home looking for you last time, but your mother said you were in Qianyang, making me waste a trip."

Suddenly, in certain places in the air, there appeared continuously shimmering membrane-like orbs resembling soap bubbles. Each circle possessed its own unique arc and magnetic quality, rotating in an extraordinarily mysterious dimension from the moment of their appearance, varying in form, fleeting in nature, as if they were illusions, yet also resembling real scenes.

Having completed the matter, the two hurriedly boarded the boat, and it was already nearing the west as the afternoon approached

Perhaps a long time has passed, or perhaps just a fleeting moment. When the moon reappears, hanging high in the sky, a few people finally come to their senses. At this moment, all the strange phenomena have vanished, leaving only several layers of thick clouds still suspended in the sky, weighing heavily on the heart, making it hard to breathe.

Fortunately, Lu Yan was well-prepared. He spread several copies of the "Jiangcheng Urban Daily" on the grass, placed the food in the center, and everyone found a spot to sit. Once the beer was opened and friends were gathered, there was nothing left to fuss about. They reminisced about various interesting events from the past, discussed long-lost acquaintances and their current situations, and exchanged information with one another. Having been apart for so long, the conversation seemed endless, and they completely lost track of time.

On that night, major observatories, observation stations, and research organizations around the world simultaneously detected a significant increase in radio waves, ultraviolet, and X-ray flux in the stratosphere over more than 40 regions globally. At the same time, high-energy gamma rays, high-energy charged particles, and extremely high-energy cosmic rays were observed to suddenly erupt and then dissipate.

For a moment, there was silence; everyone fell quiet, silently contemplating their own thoughts.

Since the experts have said so, I wasn't very interested to begin with, and everyone sat back down. Shi Gui suddenly thought of something and asked Tao Yan with a grin, "Speaking of romance, it suddenly occurred to me that I heard you were single for four years in college? Are you looking for a girlfriend now?"

Several people laughed heartily. Lu Yan reached out to touch the fat on Shi Gui's waist, pinched it, and said with a mischievous smile: "It's fine, A Gui, being a bit plump is good; it gives a sense of security. If you're not satisfied, we can cut off a couple of pounds, fry it up, and enjoy it with some wine..."

Layers of thick cumulonimbus clouds appeared at the horizon, drifting in from afar. The previously bright and full moon was obscured by a dense, dark object, and the area of obscuration gradually increased at a speed visible to the naked eye. A faint warmth floated in the air, while a gusty wind blew from the distance

Ah Yan, had I known earlier, I would have gone out with you from the beginning, which would have saved me that tuition fee and spared me four years of wasted youth

Shi Gui and Xiao Jingming timely closed their mouths, no longer asking. Several friends understood each other well, knowing that Tao Yan was a stubborn person in matters of the heart; after all these years, even a blind person could see what he was thinking. However, as friends, they did not want to speak up, and it was not appropriate for them to expose the truth. They only hoped he could emerge from it sooner, not to remain in that illusory dream for too long, wasting his youth.

Three cups are just three cups, brother, my alcohol tolerance is quite good, let's have a contest in a while, I will definitely bring you down

They were all enthusiasts of this path in the past, but they hadn't played together for a long time. This time, since they had the opportunity to meet, they naturally wanted to relive the exhilarating feeling of battling in the internet café from years ago. The two engaged in online combat, and to their surprise, they met a worthy opponent, exchanging blows back and forth, creating a chaotic scene. Later, they went to Haofang to open a black shop, even tricking several passersby multiple times, which greatly heightened their spirits

The tall guy in the denim jeans and sports sweatshirt in front is Xiao Jingming. He has a very Korean style, with a warm and sunny smile reminiscent of the male lead from the once-popular Korean drama "Winter Sonata." Back in school, he was the most popular among the girls.

The three of them stared blankly at this gentleman as he earnestly recited these nonsensical words, exchanged glances, and then burst into hearty laughter.

A few young people had a little to drink, and the warmth surged within them. In the gentle breeze that caressed them like a lover, they all felt comfortable. Watching the young people still racing on the basketball court in the distance, the low ornamental shrubs, and the faint yellow lights nearby and far away, Xiao Jingming took a sip of beer and suddenly sighed

Lu Yan's teasing and playful gestures provoked Shi Gui into a brief scuffle. Although they had not seen each other for a long time, there was no sense of estrangement. Amidst their playful banter and roughhousing, the atmosphere quickly became harmonious.

At this moment, a marvelous scene appeared in the sky: bright stars emerged, and in the original position of the moon, a dark lunar disc was visible, surrounded by a beautiful, pale red glow. Beyond this glow, a silvery or light blue radiance spread out; in certain areas of the pale red sphere, one could also see some flame-like clouds erupting upwards.

It was nearly 6 PM when Xiao Jingming and his companions called to say they were almost there, and only then did they reluctantly conclude their battle and exit the internet café

Lu Yan had drunk a bit too much, and he didn't even hear Shi Gui calling him

Nonsense. Tao Yan raised his eyes and saw that the moon was about to be completely obscured by a black cloth. Suddenly, a crescent of diamond-like fragmented light appeared at the eastern edge of the moon, resembling a string of glowing points, dazzling beyond reason. He was so blinded that he quickly closed his eyes, yet that burning sensation lingered on his retina, hanging in his mind like a series of brilliant pearls, as if one unnameable symbol after another was spinning.

Shi Gui smiled and said, "Have you all seen the news? There will be a total lunar eclipse tonight, which is said to be a rare occurrence in many years. Shall we go watch it there?"

As the mood struck, everyone was quite enthusiastic. Lu Yan went to a nearby supermarket and brought back a case of Qingdao beer, while the others carried several bags of snacks such as drunken peanuts, broad beans, and cold dishes to accompany the drinks, making their way lively towards Wuling Square

Indeed, in the vast sky above, a round moon hangs quietly, accompanied by numerous stars. Apart from the sky being as clear and bright as washed linen, there is no other sign of anomaly. A few individuals stood up, craning their necks to observe for a long time, but could not discern any reason, only feeling a soreness in their necks.

Shi Gui and Xiao Jingming are from the same company and had agreed to come together, but now there is no choice but to wait

Before I could finish speaking, a brilliant golden lightning bolt streaked across the seemingly calm sky from east to west. The lingering trail of the lightning faintly revealed a bluish-white aura, while the thick gray-white cumulonimbus clouds churned and rolled, followed by the resounding rumble of thunder

No," Tao Yan denied without hesitation, yet inwardly he let out a sigh

Seeing the two engage in a verbal spar, Shi Gui quickly intervened as a peacemaker: "Let us not discuss national affairs, but rather the matters of romance. Speaking of which, why has the lunar eclipse not yet occurred? It must be approaching midnight by now"

Not long after this silence, Lu Yan, who had just been half-asleep, suddenly stood up. His mind seemed to still linger on the complaints of Xiao Jingming and Shi Gui from earlier. Now, rising to his feet, with drunken eyes hazily gazing at the sky, he recited in his hometown dialect, word by word: "Young men, we have just begun to rise, do not be complacent. When the day comes for us to shine, we will surely sweep away the clouds and dust, soaring across the universe with three thousand feathers, leaving no regrets in life..."

The ionosphere in the Earth's atmosphere is greatly affected and interfered with, leading to disruptions in electromagnetic communications across various regions, particularly in radio communications, especially shortwave communication, as well as in television and radio broadcasting, which may experience interference or even interruption

Most importantly, there are a few patches of excellent grassland, particularly lush and green. The view is expansive, and the air is fresh

However, many organizations and institutions hidden from the public and media gaze, as well as prominent figures from certain countries and fields, began to become busy on this night

Peng City is not far from Jiang City, and since they planned to stay for just over a day, Xiao Jingming and Shi Gui did not bring any luggage. They spent the entire day at the internet café, and while the battle was intense at that time, they did not feel hungry. Now, however, they began to feel quite famished. Lao Xiao and the others, having traveled by boat and car, were likely starving as well. Lu Yan quickly took everyone out for a meal

Ignoring the food scattered on the ground and the half box of beer, several people awkwardly supported the dizzy Lu Yan as they ran towards the inn

I remember when I had just graduated from university last year, filled with ambition and confidence, believing that this world belonged to them and to us, and that one day it would all be ours—what an inspiring statement! However, once I entered society, I faced numerous obstacles and felt lost everywhere. During the most difficult time last year, I had to make a single steamed bun last for two days, my stomach filled with nothing but cold water.

If it really doesn't work, let's all go back with me, and we can take our time at home to develop properly. There will always be some achievements.

The sound of the wind, the chirping of insects, the clamor of the crowd in the square, the noise emanating from the distant streets and factories... Suddenly, in that moment, all of it vanished, and the world fell into silence, where each could only hear the sound of their own heartbeat and breath, resonating like a great bell.

"Farting, I am just a mere errand runner, stop mocking me, you guy," Tao Yan shouted.

Xiao Jingming patted his chest nonchalantly, boasting with great enthusiasm. Shi Gui, on the other hand, wore a苦脸 and grumbled, "If you want to compete, go ahead; I will just do what I can—I'm on a diet."

Tao Yan patted Xiao Jingming's thigh, shaking the beer bottle in his hand, and shook his head saying